Rocky Point Talk archive

Any changes at the border?

Started by Kea · Jun 24, 2020 · 35 replies
Kea
Now that people are starting to travel again —
Are there any reports of changes at the border? Either heading south or heading north?

Thanks
Idyllwild
I headed north through Lukeville a couple days ago. CPB seemed on edge. I suppose Trump’s pending arrival way over in Yuma might have accounted for it. I got a lot more than the normal number of questions since getting Mexican residency. Agent looked at my record of crossings (two or three since January). I got the impression that if I was going back into the US every couple of weeks that could be a problem. I was reminded that the border was “closed“ to tourism and to limit my crossings to essential travel. I then had to drive through the new X-ray machine which they didn’t seem too comfortable with. Also got the on-edge vibe at the immigration checkpoint between Ajo and Gila Bend. Cops in Sonoyta we’re up to their usual with three speed traps — one a very obvious unmarked. The trap at the south end already had someone with AZ plates, but they were standing there with masks on and a radar gun in case I offered a two-fer.
Seahorse
Entering Mexico they are stopping everyone. Passports, car registration and pet papers. Strip searching every car. Must have mask on at entry and and while driving thru Sonoyta. Turned away 2 cars in front of us for no passport. Mexico is cracking down on who enters. Returning to the US you now have to go thru the X-Ray machine located in secondary then stop. After they review the car scan you can go.
Mexico Joe
I completely forgot about this new X-Ray machine!!! Our last trip down was March 1 and going North we had to go through it. I think they had just installed it because it appeared they were "testing" it that day. I remarked to my girlfriend that this new X-Ray machine is going to be a HASSLE during a busy travel period to Penasco. The results aren't immediate so you have to sit there until the agent reviews the image and gives the OK. Not like the X-Ray you put your bags through at the airport. I would assume this adds about 1 to 2 minutes to the overall border wait per vehicle. Just another inconvenience as you go N. Soon the Northbound 3.75 - 4 hour trip will be 5. I guess my question is, how did the border patrol do their job for the last 20 years with no x-ray? Why all of a sudden? And only 1????? So basically 4 border inspection lanes go down into ONE x-ray inspection.... DEFINITION of BOTTLE NECK????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mexico Joe
Seahorse said:

Entering Mexico they are stopping everyone. Passports, car registration and pet papers. Strip searching every car. Must have mask on at entry and and while driving thru Sonoyta. Turned away 2 cars in front of us for no passport. Mexico is cracking down on who enters. Returning to the US you now have to go thru the X-Ray machine located in secondary then stop. After they review the car scan you can go.


Passports aren't required for the free trade zone I thought????? Car registration is so they can match your VIN # which is all they look at and pet papers is the current normal.
Hobie Vern
They have had an X-ray machine for a long time. I know this for a fact because we all, about 7 of us, had to get out of my father's motor home while they X-rayed it. Maybe 2004??
Kea
Thanks. We're in our motor home. Hope it fits through the X-ray machine. I guess we just need to allow extra time at the border.

I *think* the free zone only means you aren't required to get a vehicle permit when entering this part of Mexico. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.
Queen of Kings
Mexico Joe said:

I guess my question is, how did the border patrol do their job for the last 20 years with no x-ray? Why all of a sudden? And only 1?????

The best they could but lots and lots of illegal substances got thru. Progress is what you are seeing. Feel free to donate some of your SSI check so they can buy another one. You won't because you are all whiner.
Mexico Joe
Kea said:

Thanks. We're in our motor home. Hope it fits through the X-ray machine. I guess we just need to allow extra time at the border.

I *think* the free zone only means you aren't required to get a vehicle permit when entering this part of Mexico. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.


I could have sworn it was in regards to unrestricted travel. Once you leave free trade you need travel visa. My friend and his dad have been bass fishing in Obregon and in the early to mid nineties even into Sinaloa. To my understanding before you leave Nogi or at some point before Hermosillo you need to establish paperwork for the truck/trailer/boat and travel visas because you're traveling out of the free trade zone. I've never been asked for a passport to ENTER Mexico. I've been asked for my AZ drivers license so they can match my name to the name on my vehicle registration. This pertains to stolen vehicles going S for unsolicited use.

I don't know this for a fact. I should state that. This is my understanding and would like to be corrected if I'm wrong.
Mexico Joe
Queen of Kings said:

The best they could but lots and lots of illegal substances got thru. Progress is what you are seeing. Feel free to donate some of your SSI check so they can buy another one. You won't because you are all whiner.


a whiner or all whiner?

Why would I do that? The war on drugs was a failure 20 years ago... now it's just a joke.
Queen of Kings
Mexico Joe said:

a whiner or all whiner?

Why would I do that? The war on drugs was a failure 20 years ago... now it's just a joke.

Exactly. You wouldn't donate a penny of your SSI check because you just whine. You have no interest in solutions.
Hobie Vern
Okay back to the border! We came across about 4:30 Thursday afternoon, very few cars. We got pulled over and got a very friendly agent. Looked in the back of the truck, asked a few questions and sent us on our way. No strip search of the vehicle, no passports and no dog papers, we had 2 in the truck! National guard already had someone pulled over so we were able to bypass them! Sonoyta was pretty dead. South end of town cop was standing in the middle of the road with his radar gun, thought it was someone asking for money? He waved us through. Got to the sanitation station about 5:30. Things seemed a little disorganized. Walked through the spray booth, got a shot of sanitizer on our hands, took our temperature and on our way! No big deal!!
Kea
Thanks for the report. Sounds hopeful.
Buffalo Marty
Mexico Joe said:

I could have sworn it was in regards to unrestricted travel. Once you leave free trade you need travel visa. My friend and his dad have been bass fishing in Obregon and in the early to mid nineties even into Sinaloa. To my understanding before you leave Nogi or at some point before Hermosillo you need to establish paperwork for the truck/trailer/boat and travel visas because you're traveling out of the free trade zone. I've never been asked for a passport to ENTER Mexico. I've been asked for my AZ drivers license so they can match my name to the name on my vehicle registration. This pertains to stolen vehicles going S for unsolicited use.

I don't know this for a fact. I should state that. This is my understanding and would like to be corrected if I'm wrong.

free-zone.jpg
Buffalo Marty
The green zone is where you can bring in a US-registered vehicle without the need to get additional paperwork. Once you get south of Guaymas/Empalme you must get an additional vehicle permit. The is a place in Empalme you can get an "Only Sonora" permit which allows you to go to Obregon & Navojoa. If you are going further south outside Sonora there is a different permit you need (in Nogales you get that one at the "kilometer 21" south of the city.
Roberto
I have not inquired there but there is a sign on the Fremont side of CIty Hall announcing it is possible to purchase car permits there. Banercito
Hobie Vern
The X-ray machine they are using now is a new one. We went through the big clunky one on the South side. We went through the new one today. They told me to travel through it at 5 to 7 mph and stop on the other side. It wasn't more than 15' in front of me!! Don't know how they expect you to do that?? I must have did okay he went over to the van and came back and waved me on, easy peasy. No "Essential travel" lecture or anything. The car in front of us got their oranges taken away at the first stop and then got the third degree at the X-ray machine. Had to open their doors, trunk. The officer made the dog jump into the trunk!! They didn't even bring the dog around our vehicle.
Hobie Vern
Correction! We went through the big clunky one years ago!!
Kea
Hobie Vern said:

The X-ray machine they are using now is a new one. We went through the big clunky one on the South side. We went through the new one today. They told me to travel through it at 5 to 7 mph and stop on the other side. It wasn't more than 15' in front of me!! Don't know how they expect you to do that?? I must have did okay he went over to the van and came back and waved me on, easy peasy. No "Essential travel" lecture or anything. The car in front of us got their oranges taken away at the first stop and then got the third degree at the X-ray machine. Had to open their doors, trunk. The officer made the dog jump into the trunk!! They didn't even bring the dog around our vehicle.


Thanks for the update. I'm assuming the new machine is big enough for a motorhome.
Hobie Vern
It only goes up about 6 feet on each side but there is no height limitation. You go through it after you leave the booth, over where secondary inspections take place. Good luck with the 5 to 7 mph in a motorhome!!!
Kea
What about width? The RV is probably 8' wide. (Maybe 8.5'?)
Mexico Joe
Kea said:

What about width? The RV is probably 8' wide. (Maybe 8.5'?)


90" or less... The guy asked me how wide my truck was. I go I don't know, almost sarcastically. My GF got pissed that I was being an asshole (because shes brown) I go, I have no idea seriously. Because of my long travel suspension my truck is 7" wider than stock. I've never been asked that question so I was kind of taken back. Then he goes is it wider than 90" and I said no. If it was it would be a $200k prerunner LOL!!! One day!
Mexico Joe
Queen of Kings said:

Exactly. You wouldn't donate a penny of your SSI check because you just whine. You have no interest in solutions.


Dude, what are you talking about? Focus. Please. If you're a fan of the war on drugs you have no interest in solutions because it is a proven 40 year failure. Scientific experiment dictates the rules. Results didn't match theory. Conclusion? Start over with new theory. You're an idiot. get the fuck out of here. I will eat you for lunch. I read.
Mexico Joe
Buffalo Marty said:

The green zone is where you can bring in a US-registered vehicle without the need to get additional paperwork. Once you get south of Guaymas/Empalme you must get an additional vehicle permit. The is a place in Empalme you can get an "Only Sonora" permit which allows you to go to Obregon & Navojoa. If you are going further south outside Sonora there is a different permit you need (in Nogales you get that one at the "kilometer 21" south of the city.



So my question is, is it a requirement for anyone entering Mexico via land travel to produce a US passport?
Mexico Joe
Hobie Vern said:

The X-ray machine they are using now is a new one. We went through the big clunky one on the South side. We went through the new one today. They told me to travel through it at 5 to 7 mph and stop on the other side. It wasn't more than 15' in front of me!! Don't know how they expect you to do that?? I must have did okay he went over to the van and came back and waved me on, easy peasy. No "Essential travel" lecture or anything. The car in front of us got their oranges taken away at the first stop and then got the third degree at the X-ray machine. Had to open their doors, trunk. The officer made the dog jump into the trunk!! They didn't even bring the dog around our vehicle.


That thing is going to be a YUUUUGE (Donald Trump voice) pain in the ass on a busy weekend. 3 hour waits???? Yes sir!!! LOVE THOSE!!!!
Maduro steve
Mexico Joe said:

90" or less... The guy asked me how wide my truck was. I go I don't know, almost sarcastically. My GF got pissed that I was being an asshole (because shes brown) I go, I have no idea seriously. Because of my long travel suspension my truck is 7" wider than stock. I've never been asked that question so I was kind of taken back. Then he goes is it wider than 90" and I said no. If it was it would be a $200k prerunner LOL!!! One day!

I already like your girlfriend but it makes me wonder why she stays with you .
Kea
I'm pretty sure ours is wider than 90".
Mexico Joe
Kea said:

I'm pretty sure ours is wider than 90".


I don't know for a fact that's the limit but that was the number the guy quoted when asking. They may have another one that accommodates bigger vehicles.
Mexico Joe
Maduro steve said:

I already like your girlfriend but it makes me wonder why she stays with you .


Real recognize real
Kea
Thanks!
Queen of Kings
Mexico Joe said:

Dude, what are you talking about? Focus. Please. If you're a fan of the war on drugs you have no interest in solutions because it is a proven 40 year failure. Scientific experiment dictates the rules. Results didn't match theory. Conclusion? Start over with new theory. You're an idiot. get the fuck out of here. I will eat you for lunch. I read.

See Spot run? You still working on that novel? 'with new theory You read but you don't write so well. Try again.
Queen of Kings
Maduro steve said:

I already like your girlfriend but it makes me wonder why she stays with you .

She only has to service his tiny member once a month and in return she gets half his SSI check. Win/Win!
Mexico Joe
Queen of Kings said:

See Spot run? You still working on that novel? 'with new theory You read but you don't write so well. Try again.


You might as well just write GAS LIGHT for every response. You're so psychologically damaged.
Mexico Joe
Queen of Kings said:

She only has to service his tiny member once a month and in return she gets half his SSI check. Win/Win!


Not on SSI my man or woman. It's actually the opposite. I get to play stay at home daddy! Or at least that's what your mom calls me. ZAAAAAAAADDDY!!! OOOOOOOOOOOOO ZADDDY!
Mexico Joe
Queen of Kings said:

She only has to service his tiny member once a month and in return she gets half his SSI check. Win/Win!


Typical response time from Queen. 139am. Right when the PERCS (percocets) start kicking in. Must have gotten a late start last night. Usually you're not in your writing spirit until 3 or 4am.
Mexico Joe
Mexico Joe said:

Typical response time from Queen. 139am. Right when the PERCS (percocets) start kicking in. Must have gotten an early start last night. Usually you're not in your writing spirit until 3 or 4am.